Shades Of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Of course, this idea of Hydra as an ancient, timeless conspiracy will be very familiar to fans of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. – Season 3 revealed that the MCU’s Hydra was founded to preserve a monstrous Inhuman, Hive. Captain America: Steve Rogers #14 does its level-best to make sure we remember that; it even features the comic-book version of Hive, a parasitic entity created to serve Hydra. Naturally, this entity is in the service of Elisa Sinclair.
The New High Council Of Hydra
Now, with Steve Rogers as Director of S.H.I.E.L.D., Elisa Sinclair chooses to reveal herself to Hydra’s ‘leaders’ for the first time. Her goal is a simple one: to assemble a new Hydra Council as a gift for Steve Rogers, who she seems to have fallen in love with.
So, taking Black Ant and Taskmaster as her guards, Elisa Sinclair begins a journey across the world to assemble Hydra’s greatest leaders. In Madripoor, she confronts Viper, and easily outmatches her in hand-to-hand combat. To Viper, Sinclair offers the gift of belonging. In Los Angeles, she proves immune to the power of Doctor Faustus, and offers the gift of influence. In Japan, she flatters Gorgon, and offers the gift of vengeance. In Dimension Z, she taunts Arnim Zola with a glimpse of the Cosmic Cube, and offers the gift of discovery.
Viper. Doctor Faustus. Gorgon. Arnim Zola. Four of Hydra’s most fearsome leaders and strategists. Each one alone has proved a terrifying threat for Captain America and the Avengers. Heroes have died in battle with any one of them. And she’s united the four of them.
But there’s another member of Hydra’s High Council, a mysterious figure known as the Kraken. It’s clear that his mystery will somehow be an integral part of Secret Empire, too.
